Esther Muchemi, accountant, businesswoman, entrepreneur and corporate executive in Kenya, who serves as the group chief executive officer of the Samchi Group of Companies, a diverse Kenyan conglomerate, whose companies span telecommunications, microfinance, hospitality, real estate, restaurants and ICT.[1]
Esther Muchemi | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Citizenship | Kenyan |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi (Bachelor of Commerce) Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (Certified Public Accountant) |
| Occupation(s) | Accountant, Businesswoman and Corporate Executive |
| Years active | 1981 — present |
| Known for | Leadership |
| Title | Executive Director & Group CEO of Samchi Group of Companies |
Background edit
Muchemi was born in Kenya and attended local schools for her primary and secondary education. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She then trained as an accountant and practiced as an auditor for twenty years, before striking out as an entrepreneur, on her own.[2][3] She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.[4]
Career edit
For a period of 16 years, dating back to 1984, she was employed in the accounting industry as an auditor. In 2000, she quit her regular employment and opened a retail shop on Koinange Street, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, selling Safaricom sim-cards and airtime.[3] Over the years she slowly expanded her empire into an investment group with nearly a dozen businesses.[1]
Samchi Group edit
Muchemi organizes her businesses under the umbrella known as the Samchi Group of Companies'. The group includes: (a) Samchi Telecommunications Limited (b) Jumbo Communications Limited (c) Forward Airtime Limited and (d) Mergut Limited. These first four are all in the telecommunications sector.[1]
Other companies in the group are: (e) Samchi Credit Limited, a microfinance company (f) Samchi Heights Limited, a real estate development company (g) After 40 Hotel Limited, located along Biashara Street in Nairobi (h) El-Roi Plaza, a shopping arcade located along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi (i) Heavenly Wings Limited, a restaurant within El-Roi Plaza and (j) a virtual office company called Space International Limited.[1] In 2018, the Samchi Group employed a total of 560 individuals.[1]
Other considerations edit
In 2017, Muchemi was the recipient of the 2017 Global Inspirational Women Leadership Award, awarded by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development. She received the award at The 2017 South America–Africa–Middle East–Asia Women Summit, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] In the same year, she was inducted into Amazon’s 100 Global Women Leaders Hall of Fame.[1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Kyatusiimire, Sharon (13 July 2018). "Meet Esther Muchemi, the Kenyan Entrepreneur Inspiring Ugandan Businesswomen". Kampala: Chimprepots.com. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Mulupi, Dinfin (26 August 2014). "How Esther Muchemi's early bet on the growth of mobile telecoms paid off". How We Made It In Africa. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ a b Okoti, Daisy (2 February 2018). "Youth have many opportunities, they just don't see them". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Mwitari, David (September 2017). "10 tips on building an impressive business - Esther Muchemi CEO of Samchi Group of Companies". Nairobi: SDE.CO.KE. Retrieved 27 September 2018.